Double_G

I just want to know who they were before the war. And if anybody had the names of the guys that are in it now. I think the early Glenn Miller Orchestra is the greatest big band ever formed. I got a recording of In The Mood by Glenn Miller before the war. That first trumpet player in that solo is terrific. He sounds great even if the track is scratchy. I was amazed at the quality of performance of those guy.

Solar Bell

Glenn used a lot a players, most you never heard of.
Bunny Berigan was in his first band.
Zeke Zarchy, his long time lead player.
In 1938 his section was
Bob Price
Bob Barker
Johnny Austin

He also used
Les Biegel
Johnny Best
Ray Anthony-4th trumpet, only stayed 6 months
Bobby Hacket-on guitar when hired
Bernie Privin-in the Army band
Bobby Nichols- Army band
Clyde Hurley--the famous In The Mood solo
Billy May

By the way, it is usually the 2nd book player that takes the solos. Not always, but usually.

-cw-

Schwab

Bob Peck, I have the pre-war Meha Glenn Miller bought for him to play on the band.

The band used to swing, it doesn't really anymore, that has more to do with the bandleader than anything. Direct quote: "YOU GUYS ARE SWINGING TOO HARD! This is a DANCE band, not a SWING band." And then we'd "get a minute" for swinging.

Double_G

I know secodn book is the solo book. I was the soloist for my high school this year in our stage band.

Their director really told them that?

Solar Bell

A more complete list:

Source "The Jazz Discogrphy" by Tom Lord, 2005.


Players listed in no particular order but the timeline is as listed.

1935 (probably a studio pickup group): Bunny Berigan and Charlie Spivak
1937: Charlie Spivak, Mannie Klein and Sterling Bose
: Charlie Spivak, Ralph Capelli and Chuck Peterson
: Bob Price, Pee Wee Erwin and Ardell Garrett
1938:*Bob Price, Johnny Austin, Gasparre Rebito
: Bob Price, Johnny Austin, Louis Mucci
: Bob Price, Johnny Austin, Claude Bowen
: Bob Price, Johnny Austin, Leigh Knowles
1939:*Bob Price, Bob Price, Leigh Knowles
:*Bob Price, Leigh Knowles, Dale "Mickey" McMickle
:*Leigh Knowles, Clyde Hurley, Dale "Mickey" McMickle
:*Leigh Knowles, Clyde Hurley, Dale "Mickey" McMickle, John Best
1940:*Leigh Knowles, Clyde Hurley, Zeke Zarchy, John Best
:*Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Clyde Hurley, Zeke Zarchy, John Best
:*Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Charles Frankhauser, Zeke Zarchy, John Best
: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Charles Frankhauser, Phil Rommel, John Best
: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Charles Frankhauser, Max Kaminsky, John Best
: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Charles Frankhauser, Ray Anthony, John Best
:*Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Ray Anthony, John Best, Billy May
1941: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Ray Anthony, Harry Geller, Billy May
: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Ray Anthony, Leonard Mack, Billy May
:*Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Ray Anthony, John Best, Billy May
:*Dale "Mickey" McMickle, Alec Fila, John Best, Billy May, Bobby Hackett
:*Dale "Mickey" McMickle, John Best, Billy May, Bobby Hackett
: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, John Best, Billy May, Zeke Zarchy
: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, John Best, Billy May, Zeke Zarchy, Bobby Hackett
1942: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, John Best, Billy May, Bill Graham, Bobby Hackett
:*Dale "Mickey" McMickle, John Best, Billy May, Steve Lipkins, Bobby Hackett
: Dale "Mickey" McMickle, John Best, Billy May, Steve Lipkins, Bobby Hackett, Harry James
1943AAF: Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Jack Reid
:*Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Jack Reid, John Carisi, Jack Steele
:*Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Jack Reid, John Carisi, Jack Steele, Bobby Nichols
: Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Jack Reid, Bernie Privin, John Steele, Bobby Nichols
: Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Bernie Privin, Jack Steele, Bobby Nichols
: Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Jack Steele, Bobby Nichols
:*Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Bernie Previn, Bobby Nichols
: Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Bernie Previn, Bobby Nichols
:*Whitey Thomas, Steve Steck, Bernie Previn, Bobby Nichols, Jack Steele
:*Whitey Thomas, Bernie Previn, Bobby Nichols, Jack Steele
1944AAF-1945:*Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Bernie Previn, Bobby Nichols, Jack Steele

* entries denote configurations used on more than a few dates

Hope this helps. Thanks.

Dylan,
I see Bob Peck was with GM in 1937 before they did any important recording. Cool to have his horn.

-cw-

Solar Bell

stcman wrote:

Double_G wrote:

I believe it. It is also something Glenn Miller would have said. He was very strict about the sound of his band. Very little chance to swing and improvise. He was proud and protective of his commercial sound and appeal.

-cw-